-Chapter Twenty Three-
-an epilogue-
Ginny Malfoy sighed and eased her heavy self into her rocking chair. She was in Malfoy Manor and was twenty nine years old with a baby ready to be born sitting inside her, kicking gently.
Nearly half of Malfoy Manor was destroyed during the war as the Death Eaters used it as refuge. Nearly half of Draco's memories were demolished with the house, painful memories, but memories none the less. Two thirds of the house did remain though, so after their honeymoon, Ginny and Draco set about renovating the mansion. Throughout the process, tears nearly fell from Draco's eyes. Ginny worked patiently with him, knowing the memories Draco were remembering must have been painful. A cold dark room, a dungeon and the west wing library. Draco's eyes always glazed over when he walked into the rooms, as if something of the past was gripping his senses.
They cleaned and sorted through the damaged property and salvaged whatever wasn't dark magic and wasn't blown up to smithereens. The house was very cold, as Lucius liked it. Speaking of Lucius, he was killed accidentally by another Death Eater. Ironically suitable. Narcissa herself went mad and perished in a mental hunger strike. Neither parent knew of Draco's engagement, nor his marriage and Draco tried hard to not let that fact upset him. Only Ginny could tell he missed his parents, even though they were crazy evil bastards.
Lots of windows were created where it was usually just stone wall and some rooms were demolished so larger areas took its place. Skylights were put in place and the furniture was remodeled. For once Ginny didn't have to worry about money because one. Draco and Ginny could have lived off the small fortune in Draco's bank account. Two. Draco got paid heaps because he gave great service to the ministry as an Auror and three. Ginny also got paid heaps since she was a judge.
Eventually they got the whole house done, refurnished and repainted. Ginny and Draco didn't have to think twice about discarding the dark magic items but did keep the family heirlooms.
As Ginny reclined in her rocking chair, rubbing her stomach, her eyes fell onto a magazine with a turquoise beach featured on the cover. Memories of their honeymoon immediately surfaced. After their perfect wedding, Ginny and Draco decided to go somewhere different, somewhere relaxed, somewhere on the other side of the world, somewhere like Australia! They checked some travel brochures and decided on Broome, Western Australia. For a month, Ginny and Draco perused through China Town and the pearl outlets and after they did that, they basically laid on the beach and swam in brilliant blue surf of Cable Beach.
Fred and George had managed to invent a product that would actually tan their skin in the hot Kimberly sun rather than burn it and they had reassured Ginny that it would have no cancerous side effects. So after a month of lazing about in Australia and enjoying the muggle life, they returned to England with lots of photos, stories and an even tan.
The two decided to take some time off work… okay a lot of time off work to fix the Manor and to catch up with some bedroom business. A lot of the time Ginny didn't bother wearing her underwear at home… but that's another story. She also dropped the contraceptive charm she had used during her pre-marriage years with Draco and hoped for a child. Sometimes she'd look in the mirror and see tiny wrinkles appearing here and there and she'd start to be afraid that she would be too old to raise a child. She told her fears to Molly who immediately told her that that notion was nonsense and to lock herself and Draco in a room together. At this point Ginny blushed brilliantly.
Somehow the months slid by and Ginny still did not fall pregnant. It put her on tenterhooks as she kept thinking that there was something infertile about her. Draco could do nothing about except keep trying until one day in February, Ginny skipped a cycle, then another and the true inklings of hope started putting its roots in. Ginny drank a potion that would change the colour of her abdomen briefly, red for pregnancy, blue for negativity.
Ginny had carefully concocted the potion in her newly renovated kitchen and left out the chamomile essence since she did not want to know the sex of her baby… if she was pregnant. She then downed the sweet tasting potion, lifted up her shirt and waited a few seconds. Sure enough a colour showed… and it was red. She jumped with joy and whooped with excitement and then she yelled "Draco!" repeatedly, desperately.
Draco had come rushing in with dust all over him since he was in the attic cleaning up. "What? What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed by Ginny's desperate yelling. She was still holding up her shirt and he caught sight of the redness. "Merlin what happened?" he asked again, the anxiety evident in his voice. Ginny could help but laugh and she let her shirt go.
"Draco," she held his dusty hands in her clean ones. "I'm pregnant!" Draco's eyes widened and he held his wife in shock for a moment.
"You are?" he asked enthusiastically. Ginny grinned and nodded. Her red hair was falling into her eyes but she ignored that. Draco wrapped Ginny in a dusty but close hug and kissed her for a long time for good measure. "Malfoy lives on," smirked Draco and Ginny blushed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. Her blushed deepened as she felt him pushing against her hip and they had sex right then again on the kitchen floor.
As Ginny sat in her rocking chair, she thought about preparing lunch for Draco but she just couldn't bring herself to get up. 'Pfft, he can make his own lunch,' thought Ginny decisively with a smile. She probably wasn't being the proper "wife" but at that moment she didn't care. Draco would understand. The last thing Ginny saw was her feature wall and the next thing she saw when she woke up were bright glaring lights and random people walking back and forth from her strange lumpy bed. Panic engulfed her. She didn't remember going to sleep in this room.
"Draco," she said, her tone panicky. She tried to sit up but a sudden pain somewhere near her abdomen stopped any further movement. She cried out from the stubborn pain but soon it passed just as it began.
"Ginny," came a familiar and tender voice from beside her. Her hand was taken in his and she relaxed. "Ginny, it's me. Draco. You're in hospital. Your waters broke whilst you were sleeping in your rocking chair and that contraction there was your first."
"I'm having our baby today?" whispered Ginny, her voice barely audible and her eyes were glazed over with thought and anticipation. Draco was pleased Ginny had said "our" baby.
"Yeah, you're having our baby today," smiled Draco, squeezing Ginny's soft hand and kissing her equally soft lips. He put his other hand on Ginny's stomach and felt the baby kick. Knowing the next question on Ginny's mind, Draco said "your family will be here in about twenty minutes. You've been here for ten. Try and get some rest, you'll have a long hard day in front of you."
Ginny smiled at Draco and received another kiss before weariness engulfed her and she slept; until six minutes later when another contraction hit home and Ginny woke up screaming and gasping with pain.
The day wore on and Colin and the rest of Weasley's arrived at the St Mungo's maternity ward with anxious and excited smiles. Molly was beside herself with happiness, nearly all her children had children. Only Charlie remained a bachelor, sadly the Comprehensive Guide To Dating didn't work, though he did gain some interesting pick up lines.
Ginny's contractions became regular and more painful and by mid-afternoon, a maternity healer had arrived the scene and was clearing everyone out except for Draco. He had to don a ridiculous looking sterilized gown over his clothes and a hat that looked equally ridiculous but he didn't notice, he was too distracted and worried about Ginny's tortuous screaming. After one significantly painful sounding contraction passed, she loosened her grip on Draco's hand and gazed at him from her bed.
"Sorry about your hand," she muttered, panting slightly. Draco's hand was criss-crossed with red and white marks, the remainders of Ginny's painful grip.
"It's nothing compared to what you're going through. I wish I was giving birth, not you. Sounds so painful… Are you sure you don't want the anesthetic charm?" asked Draco, although he knew what the answer would be.
"No," replied Ginny adamantly, blinking the sweat out of her eyes. Draco reached for a cloth and wiped it away for her, but before Ginny could smile sweetly at him, another gut wrenching, vagina-stretching contraction kicked in and the smile turned into a scream.
"Mrs Malfoy, this is great, keep breathing in and out," said the healer who looked about twenty. The pain somehow reached a new height and Ginny swore loudly which made Draco try to hold in his smile.
'Yes,' he thought. 'That's what we did to get you here.' He then mentally slapped himself as he did whenever it concerned Ginny. 'Here we are, Ginny's giving birth to our child and I'm thinking kinky thoughts. Get a grip Draco!'
"Push!" encouraged the midwife, her hands getting ready. However Ginny didn't push, she was hurting too much, too tired. Draco gripped Ginny's hand tighter and stooped down to whisper into her ear.
"C'mon Gin, show me how you can beat the pain. Do it for all three of us." His voice lingered in her ear, his warm breath tickling it and a new found strength dawned within Ginny. Draco kissed Ginny lingeringly on the cheek and suddenly, out of pure hormonal imbalance, Ginny raged.
"Kiss me on the lips damn it!" she roared, suddenly pushing, her abdomen muscles tensing. The outburst shocked even Draco.
"Keep it up! I can see the head!" yelled the midwife. Her St Mungo's identification badge notified everyone that her name was Iona.
"Draco!" Ginny screamed again, her eyes alight with pain. Draco desperately wished he could take Ginny's place. Apparently giving birth was three times more painful than being kicked in the groin. A disadvantage to Ginny was she didn't have wide hips. Draco quickly put his lips onto Ginny's and she responded with such ferocity Draco again was shocked. Her mouth literally attacked his, and she bit into his lip, drawing blood. Draco supposed it was payback for getting her pregnant, putting her through the pain of pregnancy.
"This is really good stuff Mrs Malfoy, one last push and you're set!" cried Iona enthusiastically from down there somewhere. Ginny closed her eyes and opened them again to look at Draco earnestly. This was it, the final push.
"I love you," she choked through the mind blowing pain. Despite all of Ginny's contractions, they had not made the opening wide enough and the baby's delivery tore through a lot of muscle. After Ginny's final push, she completely froze and tried to block out the wrenching pain but a strangled, fragile and vulnerable cry shattered that. Ginny's eyes shot open and they darted out to find who emitted the cry.
"Congratulations," said Iona in a soft and happy voice. "You have a daughter." She then walked over to Ginny with a bundle of blankets and above those blankets peeped a red and blonde head. Ginny's breath caught as the baby was placed in her outstretched arms. Suddenly the pain seemed insignificant compared to the new life she held in her arms. The baby had stopped crying and was content with googling and looking beautiful.
"Draco," whispered Ginny, her voice barely audible. "Draco, look at our daughter." She felt Draco right beside her, and she saw him peering in wonder at his new bundle of joy. Right at that moment, his daughter's eyes peeped open and gazed right into his. Those eyes, just like Ginny's, warm and trusting. From that very moment on, Draco swore to never let anything happen to her. One little gaze from the infant and Draco was caught.
"She's beautiful," replied Draco, his voice heavy with emotion. "What are we going to call her?"
"Diana," said Ginny immediately and confidently. Draco couldn't have thought of a more perfect name.
"Diana Narcissa Malfoy?" he asked evenly, though Ginny could see the longing in his eyes.
"Of course," she whispered and she closed her eyes and Draco leaned in to kiss her over their daughter Diana Malfoy. Iona sneakily took a photo with a Polaroid camera and placed it silently on their beside table and left the room, leaving the two in peace with their new angel.
Diana started crying after a while and suddenly, Ginny knew instinctively what to do. She lifted up her hospital gown and lead Diana to her nipple and then she took it from there. Ginny enjoyed the sensation, a different sensation of being a mother. She relaxed into the pillows and contentedly watched Diana suckle and Draco stroke her interesting hair. It was as if the two coloured hair genes had equal dominance and had to have both colours. A sudden weariness gripped her and the aches and pains started to creep back. Despite Ginny's victory in surviving childbirth and the relief and happiness of having a normal baby, she just wanted to sleep. It had been a tiring day and it wasn't even six in the evening yet.
Ginny's eyes were closing, the black unconsciousness was engulfing her. Suddenly a worried, slightly panicked voice cut through that blackness, making her eyes snap open.
"Ginny?" Draco had said, his face etched with concern.
"Yes?" she had answered wearily yet kindly at the same time.
"Don't leave me." Ginny's eyes focused on her husband properly and she saw the panic in his eyes.
"Of course I won't! Never," reassured Ginny, and her heart swelled at how worried Draco was when she closed her eyes to sleep. Tender moments like these caught her off guard and swept the ground from under her feet. Relief showed on Draco's face and they shared another one of their precious kisses.
Wow! A girl! Lol, yaaaaay my fic is complete! This is really crazy… I was envisioning a really really long author's notes but I can't really think of much else to say. WeLl, I'd like to thank everyone who's given a damn about this fluffy piece of non-original literature. I know this epilogue is short, shorter than most of my chapters but… I'm only fourteen! What do I know about giving birth? Plus… I can't be bothered getting my old health class booklets out.
Also, I gotta thank my reviewers! You make posting new chapters exciting :D
So here are the people who reviewed at just about every chapter, but if your nickname isn't in this list, don't think I've forgotten you. All your reviews are archived and I read them whenever I need a pick-me-up!
First and foremost – scarlettHuntress – my best friend, and yaoi lover. She writes Final Fantasy and Inuyasha yaoi… so if you like them as well as Gin/Drakes, I recommend her.
Eve Granger – You've been with me since chapter two, I love your reviews! I can always count on you.
Aprila – we went through fic writing together :) though.. I haven't heard from you in a while.
MadderThanHens – my French friend who's helped me edit some chapters of my fic :D thanks so much for your support, appreciate it :)
Missindependant1127 – you always seem to review! Though… I haven't heard from you in a while.
James's Fire – I always get regular reviews from you, thanks :D
X-ReBelle-X – ahh, this is slytherinsexygoddess right? Lol you changed your nick. Well thanks for your reviews, again always regular :D
crazysugarhighpixie – for your regular reviews and my fellow Australian! Woo Australia and … bbqs?
Phillexican – Yay, thank you for ja regular reviews!
RaveNClaWGeniuS – Another regular reviewer, thankyou :) !
HarryGinnyfan23 – Thanks for your reviews, there are always something nice and … nice about them :D Too bad I don't like Harry/Ginnys… no matter though.
EVERY.TiME.WE.TOUCH – Cool nickname firstly :D And secondly, love your reviews :D thank you!
Britishrockmysocz- thank you for all your fuzzy reviews. Love em :D
I know there are a lot more of you, but I didn't put you all on here, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate your reviews but … okay I am such a bitch. I'm going to go add you on the list… bear with me for a moment :S There will be exciting news coming up after another list of reviewers! –puff puff- back to the reviews site!
Dragonhp1116 – yay!
Bel Dumbledore – thanks for your reviews, they are nice :D
Black-Spaz-Lover – woo… sorry I'm getting tired.. still love the reviews though :D
padfootedmoony – wickid nickname… :D and thanks for the reviews.
Midnightjg - :)
Holly – sorry if this isn't very clear, you were a anonymous reviewer.
Aly'sPenName – thank you for your regular reviews in the later chaps.
ooarienetteoo – wow, crazy awesome nickname and plain awesome reviews :D
AbbaZee – anonymous reviewer, but thanks all the same :D
Nilber – cute as nickname and thanks for the reviews :D
ElphieMay – anonymous but the reviews are great all the same :D
wicked1392 – thanks for the review :D
Lizzy – anonymous and thanks for the review :D
Melody Malfoy – hey awesome nickname! And thanks for laying it on thick :P I like it, I like it :P
Diza of the Moon – Ooh, but wizarding people don't have guns. They think guns are metal wands that kill people. Which they are… in a way. Thanks for your review :D
Tiffany On The Moon – Lol thanks for your review Tiff, we have to catch up. (Tiff is a friend of mine from school.)
harrypotterchick4ever – thanks for your review :D
HPFAN – I'm glad you love my story :D Thanks for the review!
azuresky46 – thanks for your review, I appreciate your honesty.
blonde-at-heart – lol thanks for the review blondie :P
Srry for the way I am – thanks the cute review :P
hoky pokey lol – lol I cannot get over how cool your nickname is :P Thanks for the review.
Kyla – anonymous but thanks all the same.
DracoGinnyCool – hey, thanks for the anonymous review and recommendation. I heartily agree with your nickname. Sadly I have stopped reading Draco/Hermy fics but I might considerate it one day.
I'm blond. James Blond. – thanks for your reviews :D so nice!
xmemyselfandix – cool nickname and thanks for the review :D
Funstuff05 – thanks for the review :D
Luaugirl – thanks for telling me you love it, I appreciate it :D Thanks for reviewing my other fic as well.
goldhilaryfan – lol Draco indeed is sexy, and thanks for the review!
ashley – an anonymous review. Thanks for that, I appreciate it that you think I'm a good writer :D
OKAY THIS IS IMPORTANT: ------lots of attention getting stuff here------
If you liked this fic, I have another one, the first one I wrote. It's called When I Met You. You can read it or not read it, it's another G/D.
Secondly…
THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL TO MY STUDY PARTNER!
- wild cheering from non-existent crowd in background -
Yes, you read right, sequel! I've jotted down some ideas but I might take a fortnight's break or something… been staying up far too late plus I want to catch up on some fics myself and just not… stress about uploading fics all the time.
To recap –
I finished the fic!
I thanked people who reviewed!
I just told you there will be a sequel!
Pop me on your author alert and will send you a electronic mail alerting you of a new story :D
Thanks again for caring about this fic, I really enjoyed writing it and I know you loved reading it :D
Much love,
For the last time in a few weeks…
Jessica/yourbeautifulnightmare.
Btw… the date today is 22nd/May 2006.